In the middle of the 2023-24 school year, University Academy welcomed Ms. Meliza Boyd as an occasional substitute teacher. After subbing for several classes, Ms. Boyd decided to become a full-time building substitute for the 2024-25 school year.
Everyone knows how it can be when a teacher is absent. Especially when the substitute is unfamiliar with the school, oftentimes not a lot of learning takes place. So it can be exciting to have a full-time substitute teacher who is familiar with the learning environment of the school and, even more, connects well with the students. For these reasons, Ms. Boyd seems to be a perfect fit for UA’s full-time substitute role.
Ms. Boyd was born in Topeka, Kansas, and raised in Independence, Missouri, and Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Blue Springs High School looking to be an entrepreneur and went to Missouri State University to major in business.
Ms. Boyd heard wonderful things about UA from her spouse, who was subbing for UA, which is what made her give it a try. However, she didn’t intend on being a full-time substitute.
She said, “My spouse started here and told me about the culture at UA and how much he liked working here. I was newly pregnant, and I wanted to give it a try. I started with subbing for band and loved it because it went great.”
Ms. Boyd said she loves the culture at UA and thinks that the education system is more advanced from what she’s used to. She finds it very inspirational that the seniors are learning things students would normally learn in college. She also enjoys seeing the students strive to be the best they can be to hit their goals.
Eventually, Ms. Boyd plans on becoming a full-time math teacher, saying she used to excel at math in school.
Outside of school, Ms. Boyd enjoys spending time with her family. They typically love to watch movies, go to the aquarium, go on walks, have dinner and watch her brother’s football games. Her brother is Khristian Boyd, and he plays in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints.
While Ms. Boyd loves spending her free time with her family, she also loves to cook.
She said, “Some of my favorite things to cook are steak, homemade mashed potatoes, green beans and also pasta.”
Some fun facts about Ms. Boyd are that she had her first and only child, Iyanna Angel, in May of this year, she is the oldest of 12 siblings and one of her favorite hobbies is fitness.
UA sophomore Sarah McFadden has found Ms. Boyd to be a wonderful contribution to the UA Upper School staff.
McFadden said, “Some things I like about Ms. Boyd are that she is so adaptable, nice and she always allows a safe place for us kids to just be us without having to act a certain way around her.”
McFadden also said she believes Ms. Boyd brings loving energy to UA that boosts everyone’s mood.
Overall, it seems like Ms. Boyd has been a great influence on the students while being at UA, and students at UA are hopefully honored to have her as a member of the Gryphon family.